Structural assemblies



Jan. 5, 1960 L. L. SCHACHT 2,919,477

STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLIES Filed Nov. 9; 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet} FIG.I

FIG 3 FIG 4 0 U A F 22 3.40 914 34 91a INVENTOR.

ATTORN EYS L. SCHACHT STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLIES- Jan. 5, 1960 Filed Nov.911955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Jan. 5, 1960 L. L. SCHACHT STRUCTURALASSEMBLIES Filed Nov. 9, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 21a FlG. I2

FIG. I0

Has

254 FIG. ll

ATTORNEYS Jan. 5, 1950 L, SCHACHT 2,919,477

STRUCTURAL ASSEMQLIES Filed Nov. 9, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 4 FIGJ4INVENTOk. Lam's Z. .Scfiacfif ATTORNEYS United States Patent STRUCTURALASSEMBLIES Louis L. Schacht, New York, N.Y.

. Application November 9, 1955, Serial No. 545,828

3 Claims. (Cl. 20-564) The present invention relates, in general, tostructural assemblies and, in particular, to store front constructions,partitions, windows, etc.

A stainless steel framework is especially desirable for a store orbuilding front construction, since it provides a crisp, modern and cleanlooking appearance and is not subject to corrosion. Heretofore,stainless steel Was considered too expensive for use in suchconstructions and resort was had to various cheaper and less desirablemetals such as aluminum and brass. Therefore, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a stainless steel framework for a store orbuilding front construction which can be manufactured and sold atcomparatively low cost so as to obviate the necessity for resorting toother less desirable metals in such constructions.

Another object is the provision of a structural assemblyconstruction'wherein the various components can be prefabricated at thefactory or shop and can be quickly erected at the site of installation.

Another object is the provision of a building front or partitionconstruction made up of components which are designed to readilyinterfit' with each other so that the front or partition may be quicklyerected by comparatively unskilled workers.

Another objectis to provide a store front construction which requires aminimum number of fastening or securing elements.

Another object is the provision of a building front or partitionconstruction provided with spaced vertical stiles or mullions which areadapted to receive the glass panels,

and, in addition, are'adapted to receive glazing beads or closuremembers which serve to hold the glass panels in position, the beadsbeing unsecured to the stiles and contributing to the generally improvedappearance of the stainless steel store front structure.

struction, of mullions,-muntins and transom bars which have the desiredappearance ofstainless steel and yet which 'utilizeaminimu'in ofstainless steel.

A further object is the provision of a highly novel, efficient andrelatively inexpensive arrangement for weather stripping a doorwayopening or the like.

A still further object is to provide a stile or mullion constructionwhich includes a metal sheathing wherein the thickness of the stilescanbe increased or decreased, as may be desired, without changing thedimensions of the sheathing, so that a standard size sheathing may beutilized in connection with stiles of different dimensions.

, The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention ,will .be more fully understood from the following descriptionconsidered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

7 In the drawings which illustrate the best mode present- I 1ycontemplated of carryingout the invention,

Fig.1 is a front elevation of a building or store front "constructionpursuant to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 22of Fig. 1; a

"ice

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 3-3of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 44of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 5-5of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken on the line 99 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view, taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 5, illustratinganother form of base construction;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 5, illustratingan additional form of base construc- Fig. 17 is a fragmentary detail ofa weather stripping assembly;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of a base member; and

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are more or less diagrammatic views illustratingvarious steps in the assembly of a store front construction.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, Fig. 1 illustrates one typicalstore front construction or assembly 20, pursuant to the presentinvention. As here shown, the store front assembly 20 is erected withina building structure whichis generally indicated by the referencenumeral 22, and said store front construction is constituted by thesingle panel show Windows 24 and 26, the double panel show window 28 andthe door and transom 30.

Pursuant to an important aspect of the present invention, the storefront construction 20 may bereadily assembled in the field fromstandardized components. These components include the vertical mullionor stile assembly 34 (Fig. 13) and the glazing header assembly 38 (Fig.14) utilized in all three show windows and also in the door section 30;a base assembly 36 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) comprising the base member (Fig.18) and the sill 39 (Fig. 14), utilized in all three show windows; ahorizontal muntin 40 (Fig. 16) utilized in the double panel show window28; and a transom assembly 41 (Fig. 15) utilized in the door section 30.

As best seen in Fig. 13, the stile or mullion assembly 34 is constitutedby a pair of flanged channels 42 having their webs 43 disposed inback-to-back relation. Said channels are apertured, as at 44, at spacedintervals longitudinally thereof, and are secured together at saidapertures, as indicated at 45 in Fig. 4 to form flanged I-bearn means46. The channels 42 may be fabricated of any metal suitable for thepurpose, preferably relatively inexpensive steel. The I-beam 46 issheathed or covered at the opposite sides thereof by the stainless steelsheaths or covering members 47. In this connection, it will be notedthat the ends of the flanges 48 and 49 of the I-beam are engaged by thereflexed flanges 50 and 51, respectively, of the stainless steel sheathto retain the latter in position thereon, as best illustrated in Figs. 2and 4. The

sheaths 47 are engaged with the I-bearn 46 by sliding each sheathendwise over the top end of the I-bearn and moving the sheath downtoward the other end of the I- beam until the opposite sides of theI-beam are completely covered from top to bottom thereof. In thismanner, the portions of each mullion assembly 34 which are exposed toview, when assembled in the store front assembly 20, are completelysheathed in stainless steel with no portion of the underlying I-beambeing visible. The mullions 34 may be assembled at the factory or shopand shipped to the installation site ready for installation and assemblyinto the store front construction 20.

The mullion assemblies 34 are readily mounted in position by means ofangle irons 52. As best seen in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, each angle iron 52 hasa base wall 54, an end wall 56 which extends vertically from one end ofthe base 54 and opposing side walls 58 which extend from the oppositesides of the base portion 54. Each angle member 52 is suitably securedto the floor F on which the store front construction 20 is to bemounted, as by a bolt 60. In the case of a concrete floor, an internallythreaded sleeve 62 (Fig. 6) is embedded in the concrete floor 64 and thebolt 60 is then threaded into the sleeve 62, For a terrazzo or concretefloor, a block of wood may be incorporated in the floor to underlie eachof the angle members 52 so that the bolts 60 thereof could be secureddirectly into the underlying blocks of wood.

Each angle member 52 is apertured, as at 65, in the upright wall 56thereof for securing a mullion assembly 34 thereto.

In the case of the mullion assembly 34A which is common to both showwindows 24 and 26, a pair of angle irons 52 are secured to the floor inspaced back-toback relationship, and the webs 43-43 of the I-beams areinserted between the spaced uprights 56 of the angle members 52, thebolt means 45 being inserted through the aligned apertures 44 at thelower end of webs 43 and the aligned apertures 65 in the angle walls 56,as in Fig. 2, to bolt the mullion 34A on the floor. In the case ofmullion assemblies which are utilized at the ends of the store front,between the latter and the adjacent walls of the structure 22, in whichthe store front is to be incorporated, only one angle member is used tomount each end mullion. For example, the mullion assembly 3413 (Figs. 1and 3) is utilized between the show window 24 and the adjacent wall W ofthe structure 22. Said mullion 34B is secured to a single angle member52, which is anchored on the floor F, with the mullion in abutment withthe wall, as illustrated. The mullion 34C (Fig. l) at the other end ofthe store front construction 20, abuts the adjacent building structure22 in the same manner as in the case of the mullion 3413, except thatthe opposite side of mullion 34C is adjacent the wall, as will beapparent. Mullion 34C is secured, in the same manner as mullion 348, toa single angle member 52 anchored to the floor. Similarly, the mullionassembly 34D, (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5) which is utilized between the showwindow 26 and the door section 30 is secured to a single angle member 52anchored to the floor F. More specifically, it will be noted that themullion 34D is provided below the transom assembly 41 with a length ofsuitable filler or wood 66, at the door side thereof, for a purposehereinafter described in detail, and the screw 68, which secures thewood to the I-beam, also secures the I-beam to the upright wall 56 ofthe angle member 52. The-mullion 34E (Fig. 1) between the show window 28and the door section 30 below the transom assembly 41 also mounts alength of suitable filler or wood 67 and differs from mullion 34D onlyin that the filler strip 67 and the angle iron 52 areat the oppositesides, respectively, thereof from that illustrated in Fig. 2.

A base assembly 36 extends between a pair of spaced mullion assembliesin each of the store front sections, except the door section 30. Eachbase assembly 36 comprises a base member 70 (Fig. 18), and a sill 39(Fig. 14). The base member 70 is preferably formed of a single sheet ofstainless steel which is bent into the shape best shown in Figs. 5 and18 to provide a peripherally continuous member having top wall 76, theopposing side walls 78 and 79, a raised bottom wall and the laterallyspaced legs 82, 82 between which the raised bottom 80 extends. The basemember 70, being hollow, is provided with a suitable filler material,for example and not by way of limitation, the filler may be constitutedby a length of wood 34 or by a honey comb core, either of which may bereadily inserted into the base member through one of the open endsthereof. It will be noted that the spacing between the legs 82 of thebase member 70 is such as to accommodate or straddle the opposingupstanding sides or ears 58-58 of the angle members 52 so that when thebase member 70 is mounted in position on the floor F, the inner surfacesof the legs 82 thereof abut the adjacent ears, respectively, of theangle members 52. As hereinafter explained in detail, each base member70 is engaged, at each of its opposite ends, over an angle member 52 bythe described straddling of the opposing cars 58 of each angle member bythe legs 82 of the base member 70 and there is no direct securement ofthe base members to the angle members, to the mullion assemblies 34, orto the floor P.

On its upper wall 76, each base member 70 mounts a sill 39 constitutedby a glass retainer 72 and a U-shaped glazing bead 74, each formed ofstainless steel. The glass retainer 72 straddles the base member andprojects from the opposite sides 78 and 79 thereof. At the front side 78of the base member 70, the glass retainer 72 is provided with thelateral downwardly directed formation 81 having the reflexed flangeportion 86 which abuts said front side 78. At the rear or inner sidethereof, the glass retainer 72 is provided with the lateral upwardlyextending formation 90 which includes the wall portion 92 which extendsupwardly from the web 93 of the retainer member to form therewith ashoulder 95 for the glass panel 91A, as best illustrated in Fig. 5. Theformation portion 94 extends below the upper base wall 76 and isprovided with the reflexed or inturned flange 96 which abuts against theinner side 79 of the base member 70. It will be apparent that theinturned flange portions 86 and 96 of the glass retainer 72 straddle thebase member and retain the retainer member against lateral movement onthe base member 70. The U-shaped cap or glazing bead 74 is mounted ininverted disposition on the web 93 of the glass retainer 72 with thefront side wall 98 thereof in alignment with the front side wall 78 ofthe base member 70, and with the inner or rear side wall 100 thereofspaced inwardly from the retainer portion 92 to define a recessed seatfor the glass panel 91A. A pair of spaced screws 102 secure the bead tothe glass retainer. While Fig. 5 illustrates the base assembly and glasspanel in the show window 26, it will be understood that the baseassemblies in the show windows 24 and 28 are similarly constructed andthat the glass panels 91B and 91C, respectively, thereof are similarlymounted on the associated bases. Each glass panel is seated at thebottom thereof preferably on a strip of wood W disposed on the web 93 ofthe associated glass retainer 72, putty P, glazing compound or glazingtape being inserted between each glass panel and the adjacent portionsof the associated sill 39.

As best illustrated in Fig. 4, it will be noted that each glass panel isdimensioned to extend at each marginal side edge thereof part way intothe adjacent mullion assembly, this figure showing the glass panel 91Awhich extends between the mullions 34A and 34D, and the glass panel 91Bwhich extends between the mullions 34A and 34B. In order to retain eachglass panel in position within a pair of mullion assemblies, provisionis made for the stainless steel vertically disposed glazing beads 104.Each bead 104 is constituted by a U-shaped member, having the opposingwalls 106 and 108 which abut the web 43 of the adjacent channel 42 ofthe adjacent mullion assembly 34. The leg or wall 106 abuts the sheath47 at the front or outer side of the mullion and the other leg or wall108 is spaced from the associated glass panel, putty P, glazing compoundor glazing tape filling the spaces between the glass panel and theadjacent portions of the mullion and the glazing bead.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 6, it will be noted that each base member70 extends, at each end thereof, into the adjacent mullion assembly inthe spaces 111 and 113 (Fig. 13), respectively, defined by the opposingflanges 50-50, and 51-51 of the inner and outer sheaths 47 in eachmullion assembly, the base member however being spaced from the web 43of the adjacent channel 42, as indicated by the reference numerals 110.The cap or bead 74 is coextensive with the web 93 of the glass retainer72. In the assembled condition of the base assembly 36, both ends of thebase member 70, extend into the adjacent spaces 111 and 113 in theadjacent mullion assemblies 34, so that said parts interfit with andbetween a pair of spaced mullion assemblies. The vertical beads 104 arealso disposed within said spaces and the lower ends thereof abut theupper wall 76 of the base 70, as best shown in Fig. 6, it being notedthat the beads 104 cover the webs 43 of the adjacent channels 42 so thatthe underlying metal is not exposed to view, and that opposite ends ofthe sill assemblies 39 abut the adjacent beads, respectively.

Fig. 12 illustrates a modified form of base member 70A. It will be notedthat the base member 70A is generally similar to the base member 70except that in lieu of the closed top wall 76 of the latter, the basemember 70A is provided at the upper end thereof with the inturnedflanges 120, each of which defines an acute angle with the adjacent sidewall 78 or 79 of the base member. The flanges 120 are each provided withspaced apertures 122, longitudinally thereof, and the paired aperturesof said flanges are engaged by the U-shaped pins 123 which extend intothe base member 70A. In lieu of the previously described filler materialused in the base member 70, the filler material used in the base member70A is preferably concrete, as indicated at C, which may be convenientlypoured into the base member from the open upper end thereof, the pins123 being embedded in the concrete.

Each of the inner mullion assemblies 34A, 34D, and 34E is secured, atthe upper end thereof, to the overlying lintel or structure 22 by a pairof stepped angle irons or members 124, best illustrated in Fig. 6. Theangle irons straddle the abutting webs 43 to which they are bolted, asat 126, and are secured to the overlying lintel of the structure 22, asby seeming elements 128 threaded through the upper steps 127 into theinternally threaded sleeves 130 anchored in the structure 22. The endmullions 34B and 340 are each similarly secured to the structure 22 by asingle angle 124.

The angles 124 serve also to mount the glazing header assemblies 38.Said assemblies are constituted by a glass retainer 72 and a bead 74inverted from the position thereof when used to constitute a sillassembly 39, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Each header assembly 38 issecured, adjacent each end thereof, to the adjacent angle 124 by meansof a securing element 102 which secures the inverted retainer 72 andinverted bead 74 to the lower step 121 of the angle. The formation 90 ofeach header assembly is vertically aligned with the formation 90 of eachsill 39. The glass panels 91A and 91B, at the upper and lower endsthereof, extend into the spaces between the caps 74 and the verticalfaces 92 of said aligned formations, the spaces between the glass andthe adjacent parts being filled with putty P, glazing-tape or glazingcompound.

As in the case of the sills 39, the opposite ends of the glazing headers38 abut the adjacent beads in the mullions 34, respectively, as bestillustrated in Fig. 6. It will be noted that the vertical beads 104,which, as previously described, are disposed in the spaces 111 and 113,at their upper sides abut the glazing header 38, and at their lowersides abut the sill 39 so as to completely conceal from view theunderlying webs 43 of the assemblies 34. In addition to having angleirons 124, which are also secured to the overlying structure 22, eachmullion assembly 34D and 34B for the door section 30 and the additionalmullion assembly 34C for the double-panel section 28, also carry angleirons below the upper angle irons 1'24 thereof. As best illustrated inFig. 8, it will be noted that a pair of angles 125 are secured instraddling relation to the webs 43 of the mullion assembly 34E and asingle angle 125 is secured to the mullion assembly 34D in opposition tothe right hand angle 125 of mullion 34E viewing said figure. Similarly,as indicated in Fig. 19, angle 125 is secured to the mullion 34C inopposition to the left hand angle 125 on mullion 34E. In the case of theangle iron 125 on the mullion 34D, a pair of the previously mentionedcountersunk wood screws 68 are utilized to secure said angle to themullion, said screws extending into the previously mentioned length ofwood 66. In the case of the mullion 34E, which is common to the doorsection 30 and to the double-panel section 32, the angle irons 125 aresecured in position by means of the screws 68 which extend into a lengthof wood filler 67 disposed similarly as in the mullion 34D.

The confronting angle irons 125 on the mullion assemblies 34C and 34Eserve to mount a muntin or doublepanel transom bar assembly 40 (Fig. 16)therebetween for the show window 28, as best illustrated in Figs. 9 and10. Said muntin assembly comprises a generally T-shaped member 141formed of suitable material, preferably steel, having a head formationor transverse portion 142 covered with a stainless steel cap or sheath144. The sheath may be readily slipped over the head 142, from one endthereof, the sheath having the inturned opposing ends or flanges 146 and149 for retaining the latter in position on said head formation. Themember 141 is provided with the spaced projecting legs 148148. Theassembly 40 also includes a hollow bar 152 formed of stainless steel.Said bar has the longitudinal opening 154 defined therein so that thebar 152 may be slid over the legs 148, as indicated by the arrow 156.The horizontal portions 158 of said confronting angle irons 125 extendbetween the legs 148, at the opposite ends respec tively thereof.Countersunk screws 160 secure the upper leg 148 to the horizontal parts158 of the angles 125, respectively, at the opposite ends of theassembly 40. It will be noted from Fig. 9 that the sheathed head 142 ofthe T-shaped member 141 is disposed at the inner side of the store frontassembly 20 with the legs 148 thereof projecting toward the front of thestore front. The cap or hollow bar 152 is inserted from the front of thestore front being slid over the legs 148 until the free marginal edgesof the latter engage the vertical side wall 162 of the cap 152. i

The show window 28 has a lower glass panel 91C and an upper glass panel91D. The lower glass panel 91C is retained by 'a base assembly 36A, atthe lower end of the panel, and the opposite marginal side edges thereofare retained by the mullion assemblies 34C and 34E, in the same manneras previously described in connection with the base 36 and the mullionassemblies 34A and 34D of the show window 26. Referring now to Fig. 9,it will be noted that the upper marginal edge of the glass panel 91C ismounted in the muntin assembly 40 between the upwardly directedflange146 of its cap 144 and the adjacent wall portion 147 of the bar 152,which with the adjacent leg 148 define a recess or seat for the panel91C. Putty P or glazing compound is inserted about the upper marginaledge of the panel. The lower marginal edge of the upper glass panel 91Dis similarly seated in a recess defined by upper leg 148 and theopposing downwardly directed flanges 149 and 151 of the caps 144 and152, respectively. A filler strip 224 and glazing compound or putty maybe inserted in the seat, as illustrated. The upper end of the transompanel 91D extends into and is retained by a glazing header assembly 38A(Fig. l) as previously described, in connection with the glass panel91A, which assembly is secured to the structure 22 between the postassemblies 34C and 34E. The opposite marginal side edges of said transompanel 91D extend into and interfit with the mullion assemblies 34C and34E, in the same manner as the opposite marginal side edges of the glasspanel 91A extend into and interfit with the mullion assemblies 34A and34D, as previously described. Shortened beads 164A are also provided, asindicated in Figs. 9 and 10, between the muntin assembly 40 and headerassembly 38A, the lower ends of said beads being disposed on thehorizontal extensions 158 of the angles 125, the upper ends of saidbeads being retained by the horizontal retainer cap 74 of the glazingheader 38A, as previously described in connection with the show window26. As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, shortened beads 104B are alsoprovided in the mullion assemblies 34C and 34B for the opposite marginalside edges of the panel 91C. The upper ends of beads 1648 are retainedin position by the opposite ends of the muntin assembly 40, the lowerends thereof being seated on the base 36A and retained by the associatedsill assembly 39, as previously described in connection with the windowsection 26. In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that thedouble-panel transom bar or niuntin as sembly 40 serves both as aglazing header for the lower panel 91C and as a base for the upper panel9113.

Referring to Figs. 7, 8 and l in detail, there is illustrated a transombar assembly 41 for use in the door section 36. As here shown, thesingle panel transom bar assembly 41 comprises an elongated U-shapedbase member 235i) formed of suitable material, preferably steel, acomplementary elongated U-shaped cover, cap or sheath 232, preferablyformed of stainless steel, and provided with the confronting flanges234-236, and an elongated closure member 238 formed of suitablematerial, preferably steel. The sheath 232 may be readily positioned onmember 236) by sliding the sheath over one end of said member, and thesheath is retained in position on the member 230 due to the flanges234236 thereof, as will be apparent from Figs. 7 and 15. The closuremember 238 sits on said flanges and closes the open side of both thebase member 230 and the sheath 232. The closure member is providedadjacent one side edge thereof with the integral formation 240 whichdefines a seat thereon.

The transom bar 41 may be readily mounted in position between themullion assemblies 34D and 34B to interfit with the latter, by securingboth the sheath 232 and the base member 230, at each end thereof, to theadjacent horizontal portion 158 of the confronting angles 125 carired bysaid assemblies, as best illustrated in Fig. 8. In this connection thebase member and sheath are apertured as at 246 and 248, respectively,for the reception of the securing elements 250, which secure saidcomponents, at each end thereof, to the confronting angles 125.

The transom glass panel 9113 is engaged, at the upper marginal edgethereof, as previously described in connection with panel 91A, in theheader assembly 3813 and its lower marginal edge seats in the recessedseat 240' provided in the closure member 238. The recessed seat 240 isvertically aligned with the glass receiving seat defined by the bead 74and the retainer 72 of the associated glauing header assembly, in thesame manner as previously described in connection with section 26wherein the glass receiving seats in the sill assembly 39 and in theheader assembly 38 are vertically aligned, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Theusual glazing devices of applying putty P, glazing compound, tape, etc.,to the upper marginal edge of the panel 21E and providing a Wood filler252 in the seat 240, may be utilized in securing the glass panel inposition. The opposite side edges of the glass panel 91E interfit withthe mullion assemblies 34-13 and MD, in the same manner as previouslydescribed, and as illustrated in Fig. 8 which also show the shortvertical beads 1 34A extending between the angles in the mullions 34Dand 34B and the associated glazing header 3313.

Section 30 also includes a door and a metal door saddle 211 (Fig. 1),each of conventional construction. The door is mounted in a conventionalmanner in the door section 31 Provision is made for a door pivotassembly of conventional construction generally indicated by thereference numeral in Fig. 8. The pivot assembly is not a critical partof the invention and any suitable pivot may be used. As here shown, thepivot assembly is constituted by a pivot section 182 secured in the door170 and by a companion pivot section 134 secured in the transom barassembly 41 of the door section 30. The pivot section 182 is constitutedby a metal plate 186 suitably secured, as at 188, to the upper end ofthe door 170 and is provided with a socket 199 having suitableantifriction ball-bearing rollers 192. The upper pivot section 184includes a metal plate 194 which is secured, as by securing elements228, in the transom bar assembly 41. The plate 194 is provided with anelongated socket 196 in which a pivot pin 1% is mounted for adjustablemovement lengthwise of the socket 196. The pivot pin 198 projects fromthe plate 194 and is engaged in the underlying door socket 191) toeffect the pivotal movement of the door 170 during the opening andclosing thereof. In order to completely withdraw the pivot 198 into thesocket 196, so as to facilitate the attachment or the removal of thedoor 176 from the section 30, provision is made for the lever 20%) whichis pivoted, as at 282, between a pair of ears 294 carried by the plate194. One end of the lever 2st? extends into the socket 196 and engagesthe pivot 198. The other end of the lever 200 is engaged by an adjustingscrew 2%, the head of which is accessible through the transom barassembly 40, as at the aperture 208, whereby the pivot 198 may be raisedor lowered, as may be required by the adjustment of the screw 206.

Pursuant to a feature of the present invention, a highly effectiveweather stripping device is provided at each of the opposite sides ofthe door 170. The weather stripping device 21% as best shown in Fig. 17,is constituted by a preferably metallic back plate 212, the oppositeedges of which are inturned, as indicated at 214, to provide a pair oflaterally spaced guideways 216 on the plate. A strip 218 of flexibleself-restoring material, such as for example and not by way oflimitation, polyethylene, which strip is wider than the member 212, isinserted from one end of the plate 212 into the guideways 216 thereof soas to bulge or how outwardly of the plate. The plate 212 is secured tothe wood filler 66 provided in the mullion assembly 34D in any suitablemanner, for example as by the screws 68 (Fig. 8). A weather strippingdevice 210 may be similarly secured to the wood filler 67 in theopposing mullion assembly 34E. As will be apparent from Fig. 2, thebowed polyethylene strip 218 is normally in the broken line positionthereof, extending into the path of movement of the adjacent end 219 ofdoor 170, and when engaged by the adjacent end of the door, said stripis deformed, being bowed inwardly, as indicated in the full lineposition thereof, so as to conform to and to hug the adjacent end of thedoor so as to weather strip the door opening at the adjacent end of thedoor when the door is closed.

Fig. 11 illustrates a portion of a raised show window section 254 inwhich the base 36 is omitted. Under these conditions, the base isreplaced by a structural wall 256 which may normally be higher than thebase 36. The previously described sill 39 is mounted directly on thestructural wall or base 256 and seats the glass panel 91F, the upper endof which maybe seated in a muntin 40, in the case of a transom displaywindow, or seated in a header assembly 38, in the case of a single paneldisplay window, the marginnal side edges would be retained in theadjacent mullion assemblies, as previously described.

Pursuant to the present invention, it will be readily apparent that for'each store front construction 20, the required sizes of mullionassemblies 34 are assembled at the factory. Similarly, the various baseassemblies 36, in the required lengths, are assembled at the factory.The glazing header assemblies 38 are also provided in the desiredlengths as well as the muntin assemblies 40 and the transombarvassemblies 41. Similarly, the various glass panels are provided inthe proper sizes thereof. All of these prefabricated components areshipped to the site of installation. It is well within the scope of theinvention to provide for the sizing and for fabrication of the variousparts in the field.

In erecting a store front, window front, structural assembly 'orpartition, pursuant to the present invention, the base or bottom angles52 are suitably secured to the available floor or base of the buildingand the upper or top angles 124 are secured to the available topstructure above the available floor or base. Assuming now that theinstallation is to include the show window sections 24, 26 and 28 andthe door section 30, as illustrated in Fig. l, the mullion assemblies34A, 34B, 34C, 34D and 34E are I first erected by securing 'eachassemblyto an angle member 52 which is suitably secured'in the floor and to anangle member 124 secured in the top structure, as diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 19. It will be noted that each of themullion'assemblies is secured to a single angle member 52, except themullion assembly 34A common to the show windows 24 and 26, which issecured between a pair of angle members 52 as previously described.The'two outermost mullion assemblies 34B and 34C are erected so as toabut the adjacent portions of the struc ture 22, asbest illustrated inFig. 3, which shows the abutment of the mullion assembly 34B against theadjacent portion of the structure 22. It will be understood that themullion assembly 34C, at the opposite side thereof, abuts the structure22 in the same manner. A suitable caulking material or compound M isforced under pressure between the structure 22 and the adjacent portionsof the mullion assemblies 34B and 34C. The mullions are now firmlyanchored to the floor and to the overlying structure. The lower anglemembers 125 are then provided on the post assemblies 34C, 34D and 34E,as indicated in Fig. 19, in order to accommodate the muntin and transombar assemblies. The floor between the various mullion assemblies issuitably prepared with a caulking compound M, as illustrated in Figs. 5and 20.

The various base members 70, in the proper lengths are then disposedbetween the various mullion assemblies, except between 34D and 341-3,each base member 70 straddling at its opposite ends, a pair ofconfronting angle members 52. This may be readily accomplished, asillustrated in Figs. 20 and 21, by first inserting one end of the basemember 70 into the longitudinal opening 111 or 113, as the case may be,in one of the mullion assemblies and then pivoting the free end about avertical plane about the inserted end in the direction of the arrow 260in Fig. 2 0 into position into the longitudinal opening in the opposingmullion assembly. This may be readily accomplished due to the fact thatthe distance between the confronting webs 43 of a pair of opposingmullion assemblies is greater than the longitudinal extent of each base70, as will be apparent from Fig. 21. Consequently, after the base 70 isangled into position between its associated mullion assemblies, in eachof sections 24,

26 and. 28, the base 70 is then adjusted longitudinally thereof so as todefine the previously indicated spacing 110 between each end of the base70 and the adjacent web 43 Said spacings provide the required clearancesto effect the positioning of the base 70 between its associated mullionassemblies by the previously described angling or pivoting thereof intoposition. A retainer 72 for the sill assembly 39 is placed in positionbetween each pair of the mullion assemblies above each basetherebetween, onto the upper surface of the associated base. Theretainers 72 utilized in the heading assemblies 38 are then placed inposition between each pair of mullions, being inverted from the positionof the retainers 72 on the base members 70. The upper retainers 72 aretemporarily secured at each end thereof by a screw which is insertedinto the aperture in the upper angle members 124. The glass panels 91Aand 91B for the sections 24 and 26 may now be inserted between themullion assemblies 34A and 34B, and 34A and 34D by angling each glassabout a vertical plane into position between the associated mullionassemblies, in substantially the same manner as was utilized in the caseof the base members 70, it being noted from Fig. 4 that suffi-' cientclearance is provided between the webs 43 of the opposing mullionassemblies to accomplish this purpose, since the distance between saidwebs is greater than the corresponding dimension of the glass. After theplate of glass is in position, the caps or beads 104 are inserted in therespective mullion assemblies, being seated on the associated .base 70.Thereafter a bead 74 is secured to the retainer 72 on the base 70 and tothe retainer 74 of the header assembly section by utilizing the screws102, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Putty P, glazing compound, etc.,is inserted between each of the caps or beads 74 and 104 and the glass.This completes the installation for the sections 24 and 26.

With reference now to the section 28, the muntin assembly 40 is insertedbetween the mullions 34C and 34B. The T-shaped member 141 provided witha sheath 144 is inserted, in a horizontal plane, from the inner side ofthe store front construction so that the upper leg 148 thereof ismounted, at each end thereof, on the angle members on the mullions 34Cand 34E. The plate glass panel 910 is now angled into position, in thesame manner as previously described in connection with the sections 24and 26, except that the upper marginal end of said plate glass panel isretained by the lower flange 146 of the cap 144, as illustrated in Fig.9, the lower marginal end being retained by the retainer 72 of theassociated sill on the underlying base 70. The transom panel 91D ofsection 28 is also angled into position and its lower marginal edge isretained by the upper leg 148 of the bar 141 and the adjacent flange 149of sheath 144, and at its upper marginal edge is retained by the upperretainer 72 of the associated header 38. The cap 152 is now insertedinto position to straddle the legs 148 of the bar 141 by moving the cap152, from the outside or front of the store construction as far as itwill go. The side beads or caps 104 are then moved into position in thespace in eachof the mullion assemblies 34B and 3 4C, above and below themuntin, and the beads 74 are positioned on the lower and upper retainers72, respectively, it being understood that the lower cap 74 is appliedprior to the insertion of the side beads 104. Putty, glazing compound,etc., is applied between each of the side beads and the glass panels,between each of the beads 74 and the glass panels, and between the cap152 and the both glass panels, it being noted that a filler strip 224may be disposed on the upper leg 148 of the mutin member 40 before theglass panel 91D is inserted.

In the case of the doorway section 30, the sheathed transom member 230,without the closure member 238 and provided with the upper pivot member184, is moved into position between the mullions 34D and 34B below theconfronting angles 125. The member is then raised until the horizontalportion 158 of each angle 125 abuts the inner surface of the bottom wall262 of said member at each end thereof. The member is then secured toeach angle 125. The closure 238 is mounted thereon. The transom panel91E is then angled into position being seated, at its lower marginaledge, in the seat 2240 in the closure 238, and being retained at itsupper edge by the retainer 72 of the overlying header assembly 38B. Theupper side beads 104A are then mounted in the mullions at each end ofthe transom bar 41, and the bead 74 is then secured to the associatedheader retainer 72. Putty, glazing compound, etc., is applied asrequired. The door 170 is finally mounted in position, over the saddle210, by means of the previously described pivot assembly 180.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided aprefabricated store front construction wherein all exposed parts are ofstainless steel, or other suitable non-corrosive material. Said assemblyis constituted by vertically disposed mullions in which are interfit thehorizontal base assemblies, and to which are secured the horizontalheader assemblies, and the horizontal muntin and transom bar assemblies,all of which are prefabricated. The various glass panels are alsointerfit, at their marginal side edges with the vertical mullions, andat their upper and lower marginal edges with horizontal assemblies.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in theidea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is:

1. In a building front construction having a glass window and a frametherefor, laterally spaced vertical assemblies, a lower sill and anupper header assembly defining said window frame, said verticalassemblies comprising a pair of mullions each having spaced confrontingtransverse portions defining a recess extending vertically from saidsill to said upper header assembly and with the vertically extendingrecess of one of said mullions confronting said recess of the companionmullion, said glass window extending between said mullions and into saidrecesses thereof adjacent one of said transverse portions, respectively,and removable vertical bead members disposed in said recesses,respectively, and holding the glass panel in position in said recesses,said lower sill and said upper header assembly extending from one ofsaid beads to the other head, and defining horizontal recesses,respectively, extending between said pair of mullions, the lower andupper edge portions of said window being held in said horizontalrecesses, respectively.

2. A building construction as defined by claim 1, wherein said sill andsaid upper header assembly each comprises a pair of separable membersdefining said horizontal recess with the recess of the sill confrontingthe recess of said header assembly, the lower and upper edge portions ofsaid window extending into and held in said horizontal recesses,respectively, by said pairs of separable members.

3. A building construction as defined by claim 2, wherein one of theseparable sill members has a horizontal part and an integral verticalpart extending upwardly from said horizontal part in line with said onetransverse portion of each of the pair of mullions, and the other ofsaid separable sill members comprises an inverted U-shaped bead securedto said horizontal part of the sill and having a vertical side in spacedconfronting relation to said vertical part of said one of the sillmembers and defining therewith said window-receiving recess of the sill.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.19,946 Dawson Apr. 28, 1936 1,538,288 Kuehn May 19, 1925 1,793,503Michaels Feb. 24, 1931 1,865,746 Dennis July 5, 1932 1,936,987Macklanburg Nov. 28, 1933 2,057,204 Peck et a1. Oct. 13, 1936 2,241,704Goldsmith May 13, 1941 2,510,832 Patterson June 6, 1950 2,569,896 MayesOct. 2, 1951 2,612,243 Campbell Sept. 30, 1952 2,615,539 Bliss Oct. 28,1952 2,762,474 Sylvan Sept. 11, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 536,790 GreatBritain May 27, 1941

